ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING

•Artificial lighting is necessary during the nights, & also when natural
lighting is poor. Most of the interior today are incomplete without
artificial lighting.

•A luminaire is any device that includes a lampholder, the means of

electrification & support for device.

•Lighting fixtures are luminaires that are permanently attached to

building. Table lamp is a luminaire but not a fixture.
 ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING
Luminaires are characterized by the manner in which light is distributed:
1. Direct luminaire:
2. Indirect luminaire: TROFFAR
3. Diffuse luminaire:
4. Direct/indirect luminaire:
5. Asymmetric luminaire:
6. Adjustable luminaire:

TROFFAR

DOWNLIGHT
1) Direct luminaire: emits light downward. Source of light is exposed.
These include most type of recessed lighting including downlights &
troffers.
• Different types of direct lighting apart from direct exposure of the
bulb.
 DIRECT LIGHTING
a) Down lighter: source of light is concealed
in ceiling – light is projected downwards
wherever it is needed to perform an activity.

b) Eyeball fitting: similar to down lighter, but

it is possible to direct light in any direction.

c) Track lighting: very effective & dramatic –

spotlights can used to illuminate a painting.

d) Shade lighting: very simple & ordinary

lighting found in our houses – can be fixed to a
wall or hanged at a low level over a table –
light source is covered by a shade – it is fixed -
cannot be moved or directed towards any
place.
 DIRECT LIGHTING
Advantages:
•Very energy effective lighting.

•Well suited for zonal or accent lighting.

•Can create a vivid environment with attractive light and shadow

patterns eg. on wall surfaces.

Disadvantages:
•The ceiling is relatively dark, which can cause a "cave like"
environment.

•Luminaires with wide opening angle that are badly positioned can
cause reflected glare on computer screens, dark "executive style" desk
surfaces or glossy paper.

•Harsh shadows can be unflattering when cast on human faces.

 INDIRECT LIGHTING
2) Indirect luminaire: emits light upward, bouncing light from
the ceiling into a space. These include many styles of suspended
luminaires, scones & some portable light.
• More flexible & less harsh than direct lighting but it gives less light –
some light is lost because it is reflected from a surface – reflector
can be a wall, ceiling or part of the fitting – colour & texture of the
reflector will affect the quality & quantity of light emitted.
• Good for general lighting , not for working.

SUSPENDED LIGHT
WALL SCONE
 INDIRECT LIGHTING
Advantages:
•Creates a soft, undisturbing environment .

•Reflective glare on computer monitors can be controlled more easily.

•Displays human faces advantageously for social gatherings.

•Can be installed without disturbing the ceiling surface (e.g. in historical

buildings or a painted ceiling).

Disadvantages:
•Makes it difficult to recognize details on three dimensional objects.

•There is very little contrast in the room which can be boring.

•Not very energy effective.

3) Diffuse luminaires: emit light in all directions uniformly – light
is emitted through a diffuser, e.g., glass, plastic or fabric. The shade
gives the form of light. Quantity & quality of light depends on the
shade. Old glass oil lamps & chandeliers are often used as diffused
glass shades.
4) Direct / Indirect luminaires: emit light upward & downward but
not to the sides. E.g., many types of suspended luminaires as well as
some table & floor lamps. They can be semi direct or semi indirect
according to the proportions of up & down light.

Advantages:
•Good balance between ambient illumination of the room and accent
lighting.
•Relatively good energy efficiency even in large spaces.
•The smaller direct component required makes it easier to control
reflective glare in computer screens.
Disadvantages:
•Relatively high installation and maintenance costs.
5) Asymmetric luminaires: usually designed for special applications.
Asymmetric uplights are indirect luminaires with a stronger light in
one direction, such as away from a wall. Wall washers are a form of
direct luminaire with stronger distribution to one side so as to
illuminate a wall.
•Wall washer: A low energy luminaire with asymmetric reflector for
effective wall washing in retail areas, display areas and corridors
6) Adjustable luminaires: generally direct luminaires that can be
adjusted to throw light in different directions (other than down).
These include track lights, flood lights & accent light.

Flood light – for

lighting exterior wall
& general lighting.

Downlights - adjustable
Track light

Accent light – Spot light

ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING

DIRECT LIGHTING
AT LEAST 90% OF LIGHT GOES DOWNWARD

INDIRECT LIGHTING
AT LEAST 90% OF LIGHT GOES UPWARD

DIFFUSED LIGHTING
LIGHT IS DISTRIBUTED IN ALL
DIRECTIONS
ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING
DIRECT/INDIRECT LIGHTING
40% - 60% UPLIGHT / 60% – 40% DOWNLIGHT

SEMI-INDIRECT LIGHTING
60%-90% UPLIGHT / 40%-10% DOWNLIGHT

SEMI-DIRECT LIGHTING
10%-40% UPLIGHT / 90% - 60% DOWNLIGHT

ASYMMETRIC LIGHTING
 ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING
HOW TO CHOOSE BASIC LUMINAIRE TYPES
The choice of luminaire type is fundamental to the overall appearance &
psychology of a room & its ambience:

Direct luminaire: more efficient by distributing light directly

onto the task area. Generally create dark ceilings & upper walls that can
be dramatic but also uncomfortable due to high contrast. Typically used
in building lobbies, restaurants & other spaces where the designer
wishes to convey a sense of drama.

Indirect luminaire: creates a comfortable low-contrast soft

light. Most types of indirect lighting illuminate ceiling, but without
additional direct light many people experience totally indirect lighting as
dull & feeling like a cloudy day. Indirect lighting is generally preferred for
spaces in which people spend a lot of time working – some task light is
generally recommended to eliminate the dull character.
Diffuse luminaire: tend to create broad general light. Most
chandeliers & scones are diffuse luminaires – typically chosen for
ornamental reasons. Without other light, diffuse luminaires tend to
create flat uninteresting light (uncomfortable).

Direct/Indirect luminaire: often a good compromise between

the efficiency of direct lighting & comfort of indirect lighting.

Asummetric luminaires: chosen when accent lighting of

objects or surfaces is desired. E.g., a wall washer to illuminate a wall, an
accent light to illuminate a painting or sculpture.
 TYPES OF LIGHTING METHODS

1) DIRECT: Maximum light is directed to work area to create effects,

shadows, reflections & high spots. Lighting is directed by means of
deflectors or reflectors or opaque shades.

2) INDIRECT / GENERAL / AMBIENT LIGHTING: It hits the ceiling

first & then is reflected downwards onto the working space. It is
required for lighting the whole environment instead of just the
working area. The source of light is hidden with help of diffusers.
 OTHER LIGHTING METHODS
1) TASK LIGHTING:
For daily activities like
reading, cooking,
shaving, make up etc.
It needs to be glare
free. Sources are
always hidden.
2) COVE LIGHTING:
• Light comes out from ledges or horizontal recesses on
the upper wall or in the ceiling. It provides a soft
warm feel to the space. Used in museums, art gallery,
conference room, churches, hotel rooms etc.
• It may be used as primary lighting, or for
aesthetics, especially to highlight decorative ceilings.
Cove lighting is valued because it hides the fixtures,
and because it provides a very even, warm light.
3) TRACK LIGHTING:
•A very flexible lighting system on a wall or
ceiling with a light fixture mounted on and
movable along an electrified metal track or
rotated in a given rail. Low voltage halogen
bulbs are often used here.
•Track lighting is a method of lighting where
light fixtures are attached anywhere on a
continuous track . Tracks can be mounted to
ceilings or walls, lengthwise down. They can
also be hung with rods from especially high
places like vaulted ceilings.
4) RECESSED LIGHTING:
•The fixture is recessed into the ceiling that concentrates the light in
downward direction.

•A light fixture that is installed into a hollow opening in a ceiling. When

installed it appears to have light shining from a hole in the ceiling,
concentrating the light in a downward direction.

•There are two parts to recessed

lights, the trim and housing. The
trim is the visible portion of the
light. It is the insert that is seen
when looking up into the fixture,
and also includes the thin lining
around the edge of the light. The
housing is the fixture itself that is
installed inside the ceiling and
contains the lamp holder.